Majorca has been battling an underground problem of squatters for years with abandoned buildings increasingly becoming makeshift homes for those who cannot afford the soaring rents. The issue has now hit new heights as Majorca has never seen more squatters as there currently is now.

Majorca is a tourist destination loved and visited by millions, but the stunning island risks putting off holidaymakers by the ever-growing problem of squatters. In recent years, locals have been making their concerns known, with many fearing that anti-social behaviour is rising as a result of the makeshift homes, disrupting their peaceful way of life. And now official figures from Spain’s interior ministry highlight that the issue is only getting worse in a blow to tourists and locals alike.

The Balearics had the second highest rate of squatting in Spain, according to 2024 figures.

Last year there were 514 reports of squatting in the Balearics in 2024, Majorca Daily Bulletin reports. This was the highest figure in 14 years, when the figures began, and only the second time that the figure has exceeded the whopping figure of 500.

In 2024 there were 44 squatters per every 100,000 inhabitants, according to the Guardia Civil and the National Police whilst Valencia, in third place, recorded 45.

However, those in Majorca can take the small mercy that they do not have the worst figure in the country. Catalonia took the top spot with a worrying 90 squatters per every 100,000 inhabitants.

With property prices soaring, locals are continuing to see a huge jump in rental prices across the island, as the cost-of-living continues to make a negative impact. 

As a result over the past decade the number of reports per annum of squatters has more than doubled - there were 239 in 2014. In 2019, the year before the pandemic, there were under 300.

Information from the state security forces indicate that there has been an increase in bringing cases of squatting to a conclusion. In 2024, 345 cases were resolved and 203 people were investigated.

This problem is not just isolated to Majorca, as Ibiza is seeing shanty towns growing across the island with the land between Sa Carroca and Can Raspall becoming overrun with tents and vehicles.

Despite being a much loved holiday destination the shanty towns are creating a severe impact on living conditions causing the crisis to reach fever pitch.